A fast moving fire destroyed the Pavilion and at least two other structures in the Fire Island Pines commercial district late on Monday, Nov. 14.

Initial reports indicate the blaze broke out around 9:15 p.m. It quickly engulfed the Pavilion, C.F. LaFountaine, Sip N' Twirl, the Pines Bistro and a bay front home. Walter Boss of the Fire Island Pines Fire Department confirmed to The News around 11:20 p.m. that the fire destroyed the Pavilion, La Fountaine, the Sip N' Twirl complex that includes the Bistro and a bay front home. Businesses north of the Pavilion along the harbor appear to have been unscathed.

Dozens of firefighters from the Pines, Ocean Bay Park, Davis Park, Point O' Woods, Cherry Grove, Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, Saltaire, Kismet, East Islip, West Islip, Hagerman, Sayville, Bellport, Great River and Bay Shore responded. There are no reported injuries.

Last night:

The Pavilion complex on Fire Island Pines was hit by a major fire this evening.

News12 Long Island: "At least 19 fire departments have responded to a large fire that broke out this evening on a large dock structure in Fire Island Pines. Officials say that the fire broke out at 36 Fire Island Blvd. at around 9:15 p.m. According to fire officials, there are multiple dwellings on the dock structure. Police say there were no immediate reports of injuries..."

What ever will these Chelsea boys do next year :( 5 gay men were burned in the past 2 weeks & its get no coverage not even from the gay community yet Fire Island burns everyone freaks out.

Thanks to the genius who built an entire island of wood

Posted by: Tom | Nov 14, 2011 11:41:56 PM

Lordy... I hope everyone is okay there... I was there in August for the first time... I hope the damage is contained and they can salvage as much as possible... Yikes... thoughts are with all those there...

Honestly, the place sucked any way..filled snobby west side city boy creeps taking over the island in summer..they still have their half of the meat rack to pump themselves o death.

Posted by: flip | Nov 14, 2011 11:57:36 PM

@ FLIP & TOM - If you give Fire Island a chance - it is SO SO much more than your snide little comments - it is HOME to a LOT of people and has a certain kind of magic that is not found ANYWHERE else - the Pines is MAGIC!!! and yes, there are muscle queens and stuck up queens AND there are a LOT more people who are there for the love of having a COMMUNITY that is OURS; LGBT and we own it as such.

To everyone else - no one was injured tonight and the local firefighters teamed up to ensure the safety of the homes and what they could of the businesses. Most importantly, no one was hurt - let's be grateful this didn't happen in August when we could have lost a lot of amazing human beings!!!

The latest from the scene is that more than 100 firemen from LI and four from the pines are on site - the second floors from both the La Fountain bldng (where sip and twirl is) and the second floor of the Pavilion are badly burnt and likely gone and still on fire but largely contained. The stores between the Pavilion and the Hotel were badly burned and have massive water damage and are likely a total loss. One house on the East side of the Harbor near the Freight Dock also burned badly and likely a total lose. No injuries so far.

Posted by: Eric Sawyer | Nov 15, 2011 1:40:11 AM

So sad... I Remember so many good times with friends in the past that are now gone... That place have some awesome vibe!!!

Posted by: Eddie | Nov 15, 2011 2:50:57 AM

well said Erin
I used to be intimidated by "THE PINES"
my partner and I have been going out for pretty much the whole summer for the past 7 years. We RARELY go out to the bars.
We do don't, however, disdain those who enjoy the hell out of it.

It is a Barrier Island - so there can't really BE much more than WOODEN buildings, (snotty comment from someone who no idea what he's talking about)

The REAL danger of a fire - IT CAN SPREAD

Before there were Fire Fighters in the communities, when there was a fire, a bucket brigade would try to stop it before sparks flew - and houses quite far away would catch fire - this I heard from an elderly lady who was part of it

Edna St. Vincent Milay wrote a lovely poem about the ferry trip over to Fire Island

Breakfast at Tiffany's was supposed to have been written there

There are Heterosexual Families that not only tolerate the gay community - they SUPPORT US!

There is a unique nature preserve which has, I THINK, the only double dune system, (Sunken Forest), with one of the only salt water marshes.

If you have never been there - get your butts out, if even for the day

You'll be sorry to have been so heartless in your publicly unwarranted comments.

WE HAVEN'T even been to the NEW Pavilion.
And now I regret it.
You don't need 8 angora sweaters to join in the fun.
It's a beautifully unique treasure and I'll kick yer ass if I hear it in public.

Posted by: Larry Hillwig | Nov 15, 2011 3:21:09 AM

it's to be expected that this news will elicit sneers from the Miserable Unfortunates who forever feel left out of the party and pathetically take joy in hearing about a fire at a place that they have such disdain for simply out of jealousy.

i'd read about fire island for years, in the works of Ethan Mordden and Edmund White. an adolescence dreaming of one day being able to experience it for myself, The Magic of the Pines.
I went for the first time last summer and it was, in all honesty, one of the most emotional experiences of my life. To be in that magical place where so many stories had been told - the history, the people who came before, a place to escape from a world that can be so trying.
I truly pity the miserable existence of anyone who takes an ounce of spiteful joy out of this incident. how sad your lives must be.

taking joy in this fire won't make your own lives better, nor will it hurt the lives or tarnish the memories of those of us who have wonderful memories and times on Fire Island. it'll just continue to hurt you. you're drinking poison and waiting for it to kill everyone else. you're only hurting yourselves. keep it up.

In time of distress we should refrain of being opinionated and be more compassionate..Infinite Peace.

Posted by: Flo | Nov 15, 2011 7:09:21 AM

Sounds like Arson! At least they waited until the season was over.

Posted by: Phineas Talbot | Nov 15, 2011 8:12:15 AM

The Pines is a beautiful place with FABULOUS visitors and home owners. This was my first season working over there and I can't wait for next season. Great job to all who helped put out fires. Thankful
no-one was hurt and looking forward to helping rebuild in any way I can.

Posted by: Kim M | Nov 15, 2011 8:34:14 AM

Thinking of my friends and the wonderful world of Fire Island Pines, resilient it is and will be.

Didn't I recently read that Andrew Shirvell had moved to Long Island? Just sayin'.....

Posted by: Fire Hose | Nov 15, 2011 9:12:19 AM

So sad and even sadder that people are making snide comments about other people's loss and tragedy. GROW UP! NO ONE should have to suffer a loss like this and NO ONE should find humor or mirth in it. These were people's lively hoods and it is a GREAT PLACE to escape to from the city. PLEASE, Hold back the catty / snide comments - it's not very becoming of our community! My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to PJ (owner of Sip and Twirl) and the owners of The Pavilion.

Posted by: GlennZ | Nov 15, 2011 9:19:50 AM

So sorry to hear this news. My ex used to take me there with our golden retrievers & we so enjoyed our time on that beautiful sand bar. We ate at the bistro quite often & Patrick always made us feel welcome & what a grest resteraunt! It was one of my most favorite places to eat. This is a huge loss to the owners & to those of us that truly enjoyed the beauty & magic of the Pines. I hope they can rebuild quickly. Patrick & PJ sorry for such a great loss. Today is a sad day for all of us who frequented your restaurant & bar. I know my ex, our friends & I had some wonderful times there.

Posted by: Rick | Nov 15, 2011 9:21:44 AM

MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH EVERYONE ON FIRE ISLAND. I KNOW THIS IS A TRAGEDY, I TOO SHARE IN YOUR LOSS. FIRE ISLAND PINES IS NOT GOING DOWN YET, BUT ONLY GOING TO BE BUILD UP AGAIN EVEN MORE STRONGER. THIS TOO WE SHALL OVER COME. KEEP STRONG..LOUISA AKA=FIERCEBITCH

Posted by: LOUISA SALADINO FIERCEBITCH | Nov 15, 2011 9:35:46 AM

I love the place, but also had been hearing that the new owners were in over their heads, financially...coincidence?